Blanco's Punishment Is.....

Chicago Fire star Cuauhtemoc Blanco has been suspended from U.S. Open Cup play for at least two years for his conduct during a quarterfinal game against D.C. United on July 8, a U.S. Soccer Federation panel ruled.

The panel listened to testimony from the three game officials, United employees and Blanco.

At age 35, Blanco will probably never play in the Open Cup again. (Somehow, I don't think he's heartbroken, though it is a blemish on his portfolio.) The question now is whether MLS will decide to review the incident as well. The league planned to wait for the USSF ruling before considering its own investigation.

Blanco was red-carded in overtime for his involvement in a scuffle with United players at Maryland SoccerPlex. D.C.'s Marc Burch was also ejected. Later, after declining to leave the field in a timely manner, Blanco allegedly headbutted a United operations official.

The USSF's five-member adjudication and discipline panel reviewed the incident this week. The game was not televised, but video taken on the sideline by a United film crew was provided to the panel.

The red card carried an automatic one-game suspension, which will be applied next summer because Chicago was eliminated by United. He cannot play in 2009 or 2010, and longer if the Fire competes in fewer than six games during those two years.

"US Soccer has a well-established hearing process to consider these types of situations," DCU President Kevin Payne said. "We're satisfied the hearing panel did their job and that the punishment is consistent with past, similar incidents."

It is unclear whether MLS will also sanction Blanco. Although the incident took place outside of the league's normal jurisdiction -- the USSF runs the Open Cup, not MLS -- the Mexican midfielder-forward is an employee of the league and could be disciplined for his behavior while representing the club.

The USSF had no further comment and will not make the video public. United has the right to show the video, but will not do so.

Punishment sounds touch ("oooo, 2 whole years...") but in reality is little more than a slap on the wrist. Shoulda been tougher if what was rumored/reported was true. Curious to see if MLS steps up and spanks Mr. White as they should.

His punishment should be he HAS to play in the Open Cup next year, 90 minutes, in a first round game against the Mid-Michigan Bucks or something.

If he gets something from the League, it has to be around the three games, $5,000 and anger counseling Mamadou Diallo got in 2001 for going after a fan. It's the only comparable thing I can think of in MLS history.

First, former Tampa Bay Mutiny suspension news mention!!! Who do I win?

No 2 years is enough, we need him playing games for this league to continue to grow.

Posted by: Galaxy fan | July 30, 2008 6:05 PM

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I was at the Open Cup game and a 2 year ban from playing in the Open Cup is not enough. The Fire had no control over their own player that night and Blanco was allowed to carry on like a thug. At the age of 35, I doubt he would be a first choice player come next Cup season and certainly not for the season after!

The MLS should come in and suspend him for 3-5 games. It would soon show that the MLS means business when it comes to preventing such behavior and it would make teams accountable for their player's actions.

It would be interesting to see this whole thing from the DC employee's point of view. I wonder what he makes of this ruling?

You all are a bunch of racists! If Beckham had done something similar, you all would try to explain why the league should decrease the punishment. Blanco has done more for the league than all the other "superstars" MLS has brought.

Like AM, I always believed the old man should be forced to play a full 90 in early rounds if he's around next season. Now he's going to get extra rest between regular season matches and the team will anticipate playing without him and adjust accordingly. That'll probably make Chicago stronger.

It's a joke if MLS doesn't do anything. I don'tcare if it isn't an official MLS game. He was still representing the MLS. If Ricardo Clark got 9 season games(which was too much) then Blanco should get at least 15!

@Posted by: RK | July 30, 2008 5:56 PM
No it wasn't. In fact, even saying it 'allegedly' happened is crap considering there were no fewer than 4 eyewitness reports on the sideline by non-Fire personnel who said the headbutt never happened, but that the DC official was way out of line and in an area he had no business being in.

@Posted by: Kyle | July 30, 2008 8:40 PM
Are you joking? He took a swing and hit a guy in the ball/gut and got into a shoving match with someone who knocked him on his butt first. (see note above about the headbutt and the eye gouge was never confirmed either even by the guy who's eye was allegedly gouged)
Rico Clark took a full wind up and kicked someone who was on the ground.

2 years is a joke. MLS should take no action. If they do, I hope Blanco and the Fire sue. When Gomez got into a fight with, it was either Armas or Brown, in the USOC 2 or 3 years ago he spat in their face and took a swing. He was suspended for 2 games. That was as bad as anything Blanco did.

It all matters not as with McHead on board we will bring the USOC back to its home next year anyway after we win MLS Cup this year.

Blanco should not be suspended by MLS. This should be handled in a professional manner if MLS is indeed a professional league (that's certainly debatable). He was suspended for violent conduct during a cup match that is outside of MLS. It should be similar to a player in the Champions League getting suspended, the suspension is only for UEFA matches and it does not affect league play.

He should face a multi-game suspension based on prior precedent (with assistance from FIFA records if necessary) and a sizeable cash fine, to be donated to the local victims of violence fund.

If there is proof on video that he actually deliberately head-butted someone, he should -- like any member of the public -- be charged with criminal assault.

And Fire#1: The world is not the way you see it, and I hope you eventually figure that out. You'll be a lot happier for it, regardless of the pressures you may face in life.

And if he doesn't end up with a felony conviction, he should be brought back to play, because we shouldn't take away people's livelihood because of their past mistakes, regardless of the money they make.

That was the worst display of sportsmanship I've ever seen. The Mexican players clearly have a serious chip on their shoulder and don't dig losing to gringos. The interviews after the game were shameless and shameful. The coach claiming that Atlante and Pachuca were screwed by the refs -- his meaning was crystal clear, and completely ridiculous. The goalie's comments were so outrageous they ought to command some attention from the ICE. If I heard him correctly, he defended his actions saying they were playing in a "dangerous country". If he doesn't like it here, I'm sure the ICE can make it so he doesn't have to come here again.

If only it were possible to show a red card to an entire team. The way Atlante finished that game was just despicable. And, it only got worse after the game. If there are further competitions for which they are eligible to play here, CONCACAF should penalize them by disqualifying them.

Delantero I have seen such garbage before, I just hadn't seen any comments on tonight's game and thought I'd FIRE it up!
I guess what your saying is that Blanco can't help it...Maybe we are rascists...
JUST KIDDING!
Sportsmanship is not a family value in Mexico?
God Bless America!!!
Scott47a where you hailing from? Seatown or Philly?
MLS is a single entity and everyone is essentially an employee.
You may not be an employee, but if you were don't you think you'd deserve some sort of punishment if you punched another employee and say head butted the receptionist?
Considering the way MLS is set up, I think it is in their best interest to set an example.

I understand what y'all are saying about Atlante, but it wasn't too bright for Jay Heaps to run up and yell at one of their players after the match, which is what the English language announcer said he did (off camera). Mexican machismo demanded a response.

If Albright was a real hombre, he would have gotten a shot in, rather than do the lame ass "restrain me so I don't kick their butt" act.

If the U.S. were really a dangerous country, as the Atlante keeper apparently claimed, would they really have had the cajones to try to chase the Revs off the field after the match?

I was actually feelin' some respect for the Mexican teams before these last two games...

just saw the end of the NE vs Atlante game on DVR...unbelievable. Then I log on to SI and see Blanco's punishment.

I have absolutely nothing against Mexicans or Latinos in general (I work with about 80 Latinos and we'll joke about this game tomorrow) but tonight only strenghtens my feelings toward the Mexican soccer players (both National team and Club team). They are dirty, and need to be reeled in since MLS teams will continue to sign Mexican Internationals and we'll continue to face these teams during the multiple competitions.

That was the worst display of sportsmanship I've ever seen. The Mexican players clearly have a serious chip on their shoulder and don't dig losing to gringos. The interviews after the game were shameless and shameful. The coach claiming that Atlante and Pachuca were screwed by the refs -- his meaning was crystal clear, and completely ridiculous. The goalie's comments were so outrageous they ought to command some attention from the ICE. If I heard him correctly, he defended his actions saying they were playing in a "dangerous country". If he doesn't like it here, I'm sure the ICE can make it so he doesn't have to come here again.

If only it were possible to show a red card to an entire team. The way Atlante finished that game was just despicable. And, it only got worse after the game. If there are further competitions for which they are eligible to play here, CONCACAF should penalize them by disqualifying them.

Posted by: Fisch Fry | July 30, 2008 10:10 PM

Amen. The attitude of Mexican Football and footballers over the last decade has been deplorable. The attitudes/actions of the players, coaches, and even high level management has also extended to the level of the fans. Regardless of some of their players' quality, I have come to thoroughly disrespect Mexican football.

I don't see how they can complain about the ref. Carlos Batres is Guatemalan. And recognized pretty widely as the best referee in CONCACAF (admittedly that's not saying a whole lot...)

Atlante's problem was that they had no idea how to penetrate NE's defense. No creativity. No running off the ball. Then they got frustrated and started acting like thugs. Which the referee dealt with correctly.

I might add that is now abundantly clear that MLS teams can compete with Mexican sides, at least when they are in preseason. It's only DC United that can't keep up with Mexican opposition...

Posted by: Fisch Fry | July 30, 2008 10:20 PM

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Mexico's preseason is over as they started the fall regular season last weekend.

New England's players did well to control their temper after Atlante started instigating at the end. Atlante had nothing to lose but the Revs would be hurt by suspensions in the SuperLiga final next week.

Who has the supervision over suspensions from the Atlante-NE game? Is this even a CONCACAF sanctioned event or is it privately run by SUM/MLS? What I could see is there was no police and no security hired by the 'promoters' on the field to break up the teams - just assistant coaches and Fernando Schwartz. So the ref red-carded them? Big deal... like it will apply to the tournament in 2 or three years when or if Atlante ever plays in this again?

Heaps has to miss the final - I wonder if ATL players were trying to draw all the NE offsides in the fight so they would be out of the final against Houston.

The Potros are just lucky all 37 people at the game didn't start throwing plastic bags full of baked beans and dunkin donuts at them.

Re: the Vilar wikipedia page, note that the page was put into protected mode (preventing further vandalism) by a Revs fan, one of the moderators of the Revs forum on BS. That's maturity (serious): I'm sure he'd like to have joined in the vandalism, but instead did the right thing.

All you anti-Fire people saying Blanco is gone after this year--you may want to actually check before you start spouting off at the mouth--we have him at least one more year and another year on option--like it or not, he's here for awhile. This punishment is a joke--so we get our best player rested to cream the opposition for two years? Aww I'm crying a river...get used to hearing "Blanco chips to McBride....GOALLLL......"...repeat as necessary. Like many have said before--why haven't we seen any video of the alleged headbutt, they were saying they had it and they would show it to the league, I don't see anything about it...Why no YouTube? Why not release it to a major media outlet to back up your STORY? Because you were talking out your ass.

I was at that game. Its not alleged, I saw it with my own eyes. The USOC ban is a legit punishment to be handed down by the USSF. However, if MLS doesnt do anything, its a pathetic joke. Blanco assaulted a non-player. And btw, during that USOC game he was dirtier and whinier than any other player I've seen live (including Colombian and Argentine 1st division) in the 14 or so minutes he was in the game. Dude is a straight b*tch. Cant wait for the next time he rolls through RFK and runs past the Barra.

Well, I wouldn't say that Blanco was playing "dirty" until he went after Simms, ostensibly to get the ball. However, he wasn't in very long, and he flopped and whined at least 3 times -- trying to get calls.

@ David -- I'm not in a position to assess Payne's abilities at judging talent. However, I don't think you have to have been a serious player to hold that kind of executive position. Playing the game hasn't made Lalas a successful GM. I remember years ago, the Giants had a brilliant assistant coach who's never played American football. He did understand the game, and had a genuine aptitude for it. Sometimes, the keenest observers are the ones who've made years of study with their observations -- not those who've played.

Look at baseball -- it constantly amazes me that some of the best hitting and pitching coaches are people who didn't shine in the pros. You want to say "what does that guy know about hitting or pitching? He stunk." And yet, they know, and they can evaluate and even can teach.

Didn't think I'd ever go here but amen FF.
Just because you think you are, or could be a great teacher doesn't mean you ever will be.
Sometimes people are so salty from so much time in the trenches that they lose their ability to be objective, or maintain some of the composure they once had.
Some folks are just plain old naturals, or at least pass for it.

Off Topic: does anyone know anything about a live stream, or maybe comcast televising the Open Cup match on the 12th?
Once again I'm gonna be out of town, and I'm guessing my best bet is going to be a live feed if one is going to be out there.

If it was Beckham that did it all of you would be making up excuses on why not to suspend him.
he was clearly going for the ball and caught his stomach as well as the ball. But isnt it all good as long as you get the ball??
and as for the "alegged headbutt" yeah its alleged no one saw it

Alex if Beckham had acted like a 7 year old cry baby poor sport and took any sort of swipe at ANY United player everyone would probably be shouting even louder for his head.
Lots of Locals and United supporters round these parts who have some emotional stake in the stupid Blanco situation dude.
Beckham's got his own games, but he is by far and wide a better "sport" than Blanco.

1. Simms had tossed the ball away before Blanco's punch. He got no ball because the ball wasn't there anymore. Watch the news footage on Youtube.

2. The "alleged" headbutt happened at the base of a full section of spectators, ten yards away at most. The night it occurred, a half-dozen people posted here and on BS describing the headbutt they saw. Then, there's the public statements from DCU to the effect that it was captured on video -- a video recording they supplied to the USSF. After viewing the video, the USSF suspended Blanco for two years. You think the eyewitnesses are all lying, DCU made up having a video, and the USSF just decided to suspend him for two years *completely on a whim*? You've lost your mind. Seriously. Get help.

he was clearly going for the ball and caught his stomach as well as the ball. But isnt it all good as long as you get the ball??
and as for the "alegged headbutt" yeah its alleged no one saw it

Posted by: alex | July 31, 2008 1:10 AM
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Clearly, you can't tell how someone goes for ball or to punch. You don't need to pull your arm into a position to punch to get the ball. If you look from back of Blanco you see that 100% clear that his right arm back and hit in the stomach. There is no debate there.

A dangerous country? I bet that's why they are desparate to come here to servive day in and day out where eventually we have to put the fence at the border. What a cheap punk.
These Mexican clubs are showing more and more disgraceful images that is not good for the league. Specially, Alanta goal keeper is an angry looser. I couldn't stand the fact that telefutura reporter went and interviewed that punk so they can stay something bad to communicate with Mexican community. USSF and MLS should ban this tournament now that one trophy went to Mexico and one MLS and keep it equal. I am losing respect for the Mexican clubs.

As I did in Europe and the Middle East, I will fly to Mexico City and meet with Felipe Calderon. I will then make a speech in Estadio Azteca to strengthen soccer relations between our two great nations. We must work together for greater economic prosperity. Mexican citizens will have opportunities to work in the United States, while American soccer players of Mexican descent will play for the United States National Team.

1. Simms had tossed the ball away before Blanco's punch. He got no ball because the ball wasn't there anymore. Watch the news footage on Youtube.

2. The "alleged" headbutt happened at the base of a full section of spectators, ten yards away at most. The night it occurred, a half-dozen people posted here and on BS describing the headbutt they saw. Then, there's the public statements from DCU to the effect that it was captured on video -- a video recording they supplied to the USSF. After viewing the video, the USSF suspended Blanco for two years. You think the eyewitnesses are all lying, DCU made up having a video, and the USSF just decided to suspend him for two years *completely on a whim*? You've lost your mind. Seriously. Get help.

Posted by: Bootsy | July 31, 2008 1:56 AM

Bootsy, I'm with you on your opinion about the events. But it's totally unwarranted to personally attack someone who disagrees with you. This is a forum where people can discuss, debate, etc etc. It isn't necessary to put people down when doing it. These are opinions, just that. Because someone doesn't share yours doesn't mean that they need "help" or a "shrink."

I am a huge United fan, and think that the USSF got this one dead on correct. That said, I don't think there is any reason for MLS to step in and punish Blanco at this point. The USSF handled this very well and nothing else really needs to be done.

CHI Town why don't you mosey on over to Nationals Insider and have a chat with some folks that give two pulls.
Granted you've got some soccer fans that tolerate the afternoon nap that is baseball, but you guys in Chicago need to come up with something better than heckling United fans about our yawnball team.
need I mention the decades of fruitless labors of the Cubs?

dcfan, Cheers if you were joking about Bootsy's "personal attack" on someone. Otherwise lighten up, HE was just expressing HIS opinion.

As for Blanco, we know the MLS isn't going to do something until, unfortunately, someone gets seriously hurt AND they catch in on national TV. Being a "DP", he should be held to a higher set of sportsmanship not this garbage he flops around.

You know, this whole Mexican-bashing really gets old. I love it how we (MLS, US Soccer, Us soccer fans) are never to blame and we are so righteour. They are so evil and dirty, etc. And I also love how we always preface to make clear that we are against Mexican soccer, not its fans. Yeah right.

I have been to a few US-Mex games and I have heard our fans and players say racist things towards Mexicans.

Who says that we are "never" to blame. Also, you can like a group of people and not like their team. I hate the Yankees and Red Sox but that doesn't mean that I hate people from the tristate aree or New England.

You all are a bunch of racists! If Beckham had done something similar, you all would try to explain why the league should decrease the punishment. Blanco has done more for the league than all the other "superstars" MLS has brought.

I really, really want to see the withheld video of Blanco. Why aren't we seeing criminal charges?

Posted by: Spence | July 31, 2008 7:44 AM

That was exactly what I was asking when some douche decided to open his wise-ass mouth and say "well they showed it to USSF" blah blah blah...

What I asked was why haven't they released the video to a major news or sports media outlet so we can all see what happened?

Give it to ESPN, give it to ABC, hell any network or even Youtube it, but show it and vindicate your position.

IF you have proof a player headbutted a staffer (in the Fire's technical area, right?) then by all means show it to the cops, too! Press criminal charges! Unless you DON'T have it....which seems to be the case.

I'm not saying it didn't happen--don't misunderstand, I wasn't there, all I'm asking for is proof before you suspend a player for two years. Why is that so hard to understand?

What happens behind closed doors at a "hearing" is completely open to speculation unless the press was given access. So far I see no reports other than a press release issued by the USSF. Why?

My reading comprehension is just fine. Such as in your second to last post, when you said "Unless you DON'T have it....which seems to be the case." This is the argument you made earlier, and it's patently absurd. If you really, honestly believe that the fact the video hasn't been released to youtube is evidence of its nonexistence, then what exactly do you think happened at the USOC Adjudication & Discipline Panel meeting on Wednesday? All parties involved got drunk, watched porn, randomly selected a very harsh penalty for Blanco, and then made public statements in which they lied about the presence of video evidence?

Why is there no mention or video of what happened before the incident that got Blanco so upset. Ive never seen him play before in person before coming to the mls (except watching him play brilliantly in the 98 and 2002 World Cups and the win against Brazil in the 99 Confederations Cup Championship). But in watching him play in person the past 2 seasons it is amazing how many times he gets taken down or fouled. I would bet that a lot of you people are not good playmaking Soccer players who have exceptional ball control skills like Blanco becouse if you did you would know the feeling of getting hacked and fouled every time you touch the ball like ive seen it done to him these past 2 seasons. So maybe we should also talk about the terrible officiating that led to both this incident and also the Atlante and Pachuca game incidents. I think the real cowardly thugs are the mls defenders whos only job is to take down brilliant playmaking players like Blanco and hide behind the terrible officiating.